NBA roundup: Lakers sweat over Davis injury after win, Nets complete mother of all comebacks

Los Angeles, California - The Los Angeles Lakers are anxiously waiting for news on the injury sustained by Anthony Davis in Wednesday's 106-101 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Anthony Davis went down with an ankle injury midway through the Lakers' win over the Jazz.
Anthony Davis went down with an ankle injury midway through the Lakers' win over the Jazz.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Davis had 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting when being forced to exit the game after turning his ankle and clutching his right leg in pain.

The 28-year-old was helped to the locker room by his team-mates and initial X-rays revealed no fracture, but he will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

In the absence of Davis, who had only recently returned after missing 17 games with a sprained knee, the Lakers stepped up to snap a three-game losing run.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn axed after shaky start
NBA Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn axed after shaky start

Frank Vogel's side trailed the Jazz by 12 points midway through the fourth quarter, but they went on a 19-4 run – LeBron James scoring the last 10 of those points – to hit back.

James finished with a team-high 33 points, 15 of those coming in the final quarter, meaning he has now scored 25 points or more in a career-best 23 straight games.

The Lakers are now 27-31 for the season but are still down in ninth in the Western Conference, while the 36-22 Jazz are in fourth after suffering a first loss in seven outings.

Around the league

The Bulls' DeMar DeRozan became the first player to score 35 or more points and shoot 50% or better in seven straight games
The Bulls' DeMar DeRozan became the first player to score 35 or more points and shoot 50% or better in seven straight games  © IMAGO / Icon SMI

Rookie Cam Thomas impressed in the absence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to help the Brooklyn Nets match their biggest comeback in franchise history.

The Nets trailed the New York Knicks by 28 points before going on to win 111-106, with 16 of Thomas' 21 points arriving in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer to clinch the win with 7.7 seconds to go.

Julius Randle had seemingly put the Knicks in control with 31 points and 10 rebounds, but they were unable to hold on and suffered a third successive loss to stumble to 25-34 for the season.

NBA star Jontay Porter hit with lifetime ban after probe uncovers "cardinal sin"
NBA NBA star Jontay Porter hit with lifetime ban after probe uncovers "cardinal sin"

DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points in the Chicago Bulls' 125-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings to create some NBA history. The five-time All-Star became the first player to score 35 or more points and shoot 50% or better in seven straight games, usurping Wilt Chamberlain's previous record of six.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors lost 117-116 to the Denver Nuggets through Monte Morris' 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded. Nikola Jokić had 35 points and 17 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have now won three in a row and five of their last six.

The NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 124-121 for a seventh successive win thanks to 24 points for Devin Booker and 23 for Deandre Ayton.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

More on NBA: